Deadline looms for views on Cumbernauld treatment room changes

The health board has admitted that it wishes to centralise the service which has existed in every surgery in Cumbernauld.

A range of services are available via practise nurses who are engaged in key tasks like taking blood samples and dressing wounds. NHS Lanarkshire has yet to stage where the centralised service would be based.

Locals were asked to submit their views on the prospect of centralisation, and have until Friday (July 8) to do so.

Meanwhile it has emerged that the most high profile opponent of this move is MSP Jamie Hepburn who has submitted his objection, after being approached by a number of constituents.

The Scottish Nationalist said: “Closure and centralisation of treatment room services will be seen by the community as further evidence that NHS Lanarkshire is not taking into account wider factors and local circumstances when reviewing service provision. This constituency is a centre of population growth, which will bring with it increased demand for health services,” he stated.

“Public transport links and bus routes are often not suitable for elderly or vulnerable groups who currently rely on being able to access existing local services, and private transport costs to more distant treatment centres can be prohibitive.”

He added: “Transport difficulties mean this could lead to delayed and cancelled appointments, some of the very inefficiencies this review is setting out to avoid.’

Any remaining comments should be submitted to [email protected] or to Anne Armstrong Divisional Director of Nursing – Primary Care, NHS Lanarkshire Headquarters, Kirklands, Fallside Road, Bothwell, G71 8BB.